A pair of vintage-coloured TimeWalker watches launched for the 25th anniversary of the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

A few days ago, the Goodwood Festival of Speed (GFOS) took place in the UK for the 25th time in its history. As the official timekeeper of the (superb) event for the second year, Montblanc was, of course, present to celebrate the world of cars. However, that’s not all, as a pair of vintage-oriented, cappuccino-coloured Limited Editions of MB’s racing-oriented watch was also introduced. Meet the new Montblanc TimeWalker Manufacture Chronograph and Date Automatic Cappuccino Limited Editions.

Goodwood Festival of Speed x Montblanc

The Goodwood Festival of Speed (GFOS) x Montblanc link was born just after the creation of the brand’s new sports watch, the revised TimeWalker, a watch with true racing/motorsport inspiration. Since 2017, Montblanc is the official timekeeper of the event – as reported in our article here (with tons of nice cars to see too). But what is GFOS exactly? Back in the early 1980s, Charles Gordon-Lennox, known in the automotive world as Lord March, moved from London to Goodwood to take over management of the family estate.

Motorsport at Goodwood was started by his grandfather, Freddie Richmond, who opened the Goodwood Motor Circuit in 1948. March established the Festival of Speed at Goodwood House in 1993. On the back of that success, he brought motor racing back to the circuit, which had closed in 1966, and he did all that by starting the Goodwood Revival in 1998. The GFOS consists of an annual hill climb, featuring historic and modern motor-racing vehicles, held in the grounds of Goodwood Estate, and is one of the major motorsport/collecting events of the year.

The Montblanc TimeWalker Cappuccino Limited Editions

For the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the GFOS, Montblanc introduces two new watches, both based on some of the TimeWalker models introduced earlier in 2016 and 2018. Both are mainly evolutions on the colour front, with specifications, dimensions and movements identical to already existing versions – hence, the 2017 TimeWalker Date Automatic (which is usually delivered with a black or a silver dial) and the 2018 TimeWalker Manufacture Chronograph (which was introduced at the SIHH 2018 in a b&w panda version, and which features a new proprietary movement). Knowing that the inspiration for these models was racing and motorsport timekeeping, the 2018 GFOS was the perfect event to launch new vintage-oriented versions.

As mentioned, Montblanc is introducing a pair of watches. The first one is based on the time-and-date version, with automatic movement. The second is the new chronograph edition, no longer equipped with a 7750-based calibre but with a so-called “manufacture” engine, with automatic winding and column-wheel. The steel cases of both versions are identical to the non-limited watches, meaning a sharp and angular brushed case with hollowed lugs and a black ceramic bezel. The chronograph measures 43mm x 15.20mm while the time-and-date is substantially smaller at 41mm x 11.38mm.

The main novelty can be seen on the dials. Davide Cerrato, head of the watchmaking department, is known for his love and mastery of vintage codes. While already playing on the “Newmanesque” feel with the SIHH 2018 TimeWalker Manufacture Chronograph, he adds here a “patinated” look to these watches named Cappuccino – just like those vintage watches that have aged and where the white dial has turned cream and the black sub-counters gained a chocolate/coffee colour.

This is why on these new TimeWalker Cappuccino Limited Editions, the minute track, as well as the sub-counters on the chronograph, are dark brown, while the dial itself is cream. A few red accents again give a “Newman” touch to these tropical dials. Reinforcing the style is a perforated vintage brown Sfumato aged calf leather strap.

Powering the Montblanc TimeWalker Date Automatic Cappucino Limited Edition is Calibre MB 24.17 – basically, a Selitta SW-200 with a 38h power reserve and a 4Hz frequency. The Montblanc TimeWalker Manufacture Chronograph Cappucino Limited Edition, on the other hand, features a 3-6-9 layout, indicating the presence of the newly developed calibre MB 25.10. This movement, developed at Richemont’s group facilities (ValFleurier) and based on the IWC calibre 69000, is an integrated automatic chronograph with 4Hz frequency, 46h power reserve and column wheel to start-stop-reset the chronograph functions.

The Montblanc TimeWalker Manufacture Chronograph Cappucino Limited Edition (reference 118491) will be produced in 1,500 pieces and priced at EUR 4,990 or USD 5,400. The Montblanc TimeWalker Date Automatic Cappucino Limited Edition (reference 118494) will be produced in 500 pieces and priced at USD 2,885. More details at montblanc.com.

1 response

Mont Blanc, stop right there!
Once you start piling on the irrelevant collaborations, you know The Marketing Department has taken over. Which means the watch people will stop buying. Is your intention to court the LV and airport lounge crowd? Charging so much for a friggin Sellita is lunacy. If you want to become the next Tag Heuer, keep on going. If you want to be a respected watch company, start respecting your customers.